The Australian Urban Design Awards were created by Prime Minister Paul Keating’s Urban Design Taskforce in 1996. The program was established to recognise contemporary Australian urban design projects of the highest quality and to encourage cities, towns and communities across the country to strive for best practice in all projects. Over the past twenty years, the program has communicated the critical role of good urban design in the shaping of the nation and the collaborative relationships that underpin the successful development of the built environment.

The Australian Urban Design Awards are convened by the Planning Institute of Australia with the support of eight peak organisations servicing the sector. Awards patrons are Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister of Australia and Lucy Turnbull AO, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission. The Awards are delivered by Architecture Media, a cross-platform publishing and events company focused on the built environment.

The intent and scope of the Australian Urban Design Awards is wide-ranging and attracts entries for initiatives, built projects and publications that will make a significant difference to the places, spaces, buildings and infrastructure of our cities and towns.